Rovers having a Ball

10 October 2012

Boss Dean Saunders heaped praise on teenage striker Jordan Ball as his first touch in senior football booked Doncaster a place in the quarter-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The 18-year-old - recalled from a loan at Northern League Division One side Belper - came off the bench seven minutes from time to head home a David Cotterill corner and secure a 1-0 win which dumped out holders Chesterfield at the Keepmoat Stadium.

"It's basic with Jordan right now - he works hard and he scores," Saunders said. "He's got the right attitude, the work-rate and the basics you need to be a footballer. You either know where the net is or you don't and he headed it in like he's been doing it for years."

Saunders added: "He's scored eight goals in 10 games at Belper which has been great for him and that goal will have done him the world of good.

"It's great when a substitute comes on and wins a game like that for you. You need a bit of luck as a manager.

"That's probably the best we've played this season. The possession stats must be ridiculous because we had the ball all night."